April 13, 2006

China Is Developing Its Own Brand Names

If there are three things one can be sure about in the future, they are as follows: we will be taxed, we will die, and we will see new Chinese car brands in the next four years.

I found it interesting that state-controlled SAIC Motor Corp, which partners with VW and GM in China, is getting ready to launch its own auto brands. The new brand name is not out yet, but they already have a first run slated of 600,000 by 2010.

Ultimately, they plan on pumping out over 2 million cars per year shortly thereafter, and will probably need some brand architecture thinking. SAIC will be using technology purchased from MG Rover to make the new cars.

Watch this space, because whatever brand SAIC introduces is sure to be a winner.